A final decision on Costa Coffee’s proposed new outlet in the heart of Timperley is expected in the next few weeks.
The 588 sq ft corner space on Stockport Road, part of Paul House directly behind the Frank Sidebottom statue, has been vacant since retailer Village Domestics moved out last year.
Rumours have swirled for months that national chain Costa Coffee – which already has outlets in Hale and Altrincham town centre – would give the village an economic boost by opening a new outlet in the central location.
A spokesperson for Costa would not confirm the chain’s plans or the location of its intended site, simply telling Altrincham Today that it was “currently evaluating opportunities in the Timperley area” but had “no firm plans in place at this stage”.
However, it’s understood that provisional terms have been agreed between Costa and the site’s agents, Tushingham Moore, and that negotiations now centre around the exact terms of the lease.
Planning is still to be approved too, although Costa are expecting a decision from local authorities in the early autumn.
The unit has an advertised rental charge of £22,500 pa.
Building work has recently been carried out to the rear of the premises but it’s understood that has taken place independently of any proposed tenant.
Costa already has over 1,750 outlets in the UK and in April announced plans to add another 150 this year as it moves towards a target of 2,200 by 2018.
Globally, the Whitbread-owned brand sold 400 million drinks last year and increased sales by 16.5% to over £800m.
